Top 100 Comics (Detailed)

100. Pogo
Writer: Walt Kelly
Artist: Walt Kelly
Publisher: Post-Hall Syndicate
1948-1975
2024 Rank: 276
"There's never been anything like it. It's utterly unique and individual in the same fashion that Peanuts, or Calvin and Hobbes or Little Nemo or any other of the great 20th century comic strips are... It's a much weirder strip than I think most people give it credit for and that is certainly something worth both recognizing and admiring." - Chris Mautner, Comic Book Resource

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99. Blame!
Writer: Tsutomu Nihei
Artist: Tsutomu Nihei
Publisher: TokyoPop
1997-2003
2024 Rank: 261
"Nihei originally studied to be an architect, and that’s readily apparent in his illustrations of Blame!'s environment, which includes vast passageways and chasms that dwarf the characters, ruined industrial settings full of futuristic-yet-decrepit technology, large population areas, and devastated war zones littered with the shells and viscera of augmented bodies." - Jason Morehead, Opus

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98. Invincible
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Cory Walker, Ryan Ottley
Publisher: Image
2003-2018
2024 Rank: 62
"The legacy Invincible leaves behind is something only so many books have accomplished. The final issue gives its readers everything that made the series what it is and why it will always be highly recommended to new readers. Invincible has truly earned his place among the list of greatest superhero comics of all time." - D. Ivester, The GWW

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97. Phoenix
Writer: Osamu Tezuka
Artist: Osamu Tezuka
Publisher: Gakudōsha
1954-1955
2024 Rank: Unranked
" 'Hi no Tori' ('Phoenix' ) is a 12-part masterpiece by manga legend Osamu Tezuka. Started in 1954, Tezuka worked on the manga until his death in 1989. Acclaimed for both its story and style, 'Phoenix' rises above the greatness of Tezuka's 'Astro Boy' or 'Black Jack' — it was, in translator Frederik L. Schodt's words, an 'attempt to push the boundaries of what was possible with manga at the time, both intellectually and artistically, and examine the meaning of life.'" - Kris Kosaka, The Japan Times

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96. A Distant Neighborhood
Writer: Jiro Taniguchi
Artist: Jiro Taniguchi
Publisher: Shogakukan
1998-1999
2024 Rank: Unranked
"Haruka na Machi e [A Distant Neighborhood] is an underrated gem from an artist who is known for penning stories which are the very apotheosis of his perspective on life and how, like him, they tend to be representative of the beauty that exists in the routine and the mundane. It’s a very short read and one which will surely leave you enriched by the end. Do check it out." - Armitage, Star Crossed Anime

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95. Pluto
Writer: Naoki Urasawa, Takashi Nagasaki
Artist: Naoki Urasawa
Publisher: Shogakukan
2003-2009
2024 Rank: 98
"Now that I've read the first volume of "Pluto" I'm changing 'worth checking out' to 'absolutely must be read.'... If "Pluto" doesn't rack up award nominations next year, I will be genuinely perplexed. Remember my prediction this time next year, because "Pluto" is just that good." - Greg McElhatton, Comic Book Resources

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94. The Vision
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Gabriel Hernandez Walta
Publisher: Marvel Comics
2015-2016
2024 Rank: 85
"This is an absolute must-read. It's not often a comic can deliver so many emotions. This book has been an eye-opener and has become one of my top-recommended series." - Tony Guerrero, Comic Vine

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93. Gotham Central
Writer: Ed Brubaker, Greg Ruka
Artist: Michael Lark
Publisher: DC Comics
2002-2006
2024 Rank: 93
"Michael Lark does a wonderful job on this issue's main action set piece that has our detectives making their way through a dark and foreboding building, where every shadow looks to hold potential danger. I also have to give the art full marks for offering up a simple but decidedly creepy design for the costumed threat that endangers our detectives, as the page where the character descends from the stairwell, and starts blasting away is an undeniably powerful visual, as is the bit of action that follows his attack on Montoya." - Jason Cornwell, Comics Bulletin

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92. Building Stories
Writer: Chris Ware
Artist: Chris Ware
Publisher: Pantheon
2012
2024 Rank: 160
"Chris Ware's new graphic novel comes in a cardboard box, like BS Johnson's The Unfortunates, or an old-fashioned board game. Inside, are 14 "distinctively discrete" books and pamphlets of varying sizes. Each one of these stands alone, and since – in theory – they may be read in any order, several members of a comic-loving family could happily read Building Stories over the course of the same afternoon. But they work together, too, combining to depict, in rich and multifaceted fashion, the mostly unhappy lives of the inhabitants of a single Chicago apartment block. Ware's box, then, isn't a gimmick, but a sort of proxy. Like the crumbling building at his story's heart, it's a repository of misery, loneliness and misunderstandings. As Philip Larkin had it: 'Home is so sad.'" - Rachel Cooke, The Guardian

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91. Daredevil
Writer: Frank Miller
Artist: Frank Miller, Klaus Janson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
1979-1986
2024 Rank: 23
"Miller and Janson’s work isn’t perfect, but it showed that it was possible to innovate, rather than stick to the stale format comics had at the time. They both redefined a character who’d struggled for years, imprinting a mileu, and the storytelling influence is a legacy still rippling through Daredevil and the Marvel Universe. Superhero comics became grittier, the art allowed to simply tell the story, and the cluttered speech bubbles so common at the time were shed." - Jamie McNeil, The Slings and Arrows

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90. Hellblazer
Writer: Various
Artist: Various
Publisher: Vertigo
1988-2013
2024 Rank: 69
"The indignant, Brit magician is one of Vertigo's best characters. Constantine has experience all manner of personal hell. He's nearly died from cancer -- and that was one of his better days. The series has had some low points, but James Delano's original crack set the tone for the character. Garth Ennis did some of his best work in his long stint on Hellblazer." - Hilary Goldstein, IGN

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89. Cerebus
Writer: Dave Sim
Artist: Dave Sim
Publisher: Aardvark-Vanaheim
1977-2004
2024 Rank: 109
"Few names hold as much sway in the independent comics scene as Cerebus. This Aardvark debuted in the late '70s as a spoof of barbarian heroes like Conan. But creator Dave Sim was far more ambitious than that; through his hero, Sim worked to push the boundaries of the medium as far as they could go. Cerebus embarked on a long, multi-decade odyssey that spoofed and satirized much of pop culture while also making bold statements about art, religion, and life itself. Often controversial but always revered, Cerebus' mark on the industry will be everlasting." - Editorial Staff, IGN

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88. One-Punch Man
Writer: One
Artist: Yusuke Murata
Publisher: Viz Media
2012-Ongoing
2024 Rank: 276
"I know One Punch Man is supposed to be a parody series, and it still is, but it has some of the most compelling storytelling and deepest characters I have ever seen. In my opinion it puts the genre of books that are being parodied to shame. I couldn’t imagine DC, Marvel and the others doing anything approaching this rich, detailed series" - David Gladman, Big Comic Page

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87. The Fantastic Four
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Publisher: Marvel Comics
1961-1972
2024 Rank: 60
"Besides the obvious charm of discovering how many classic Marvel characters were first introduced in these early issues, there were also many small touches for sharp-eyed readers would appreciate making the effort... I would encourage people who love Marvel history to read these early issues, as it did seem as though every single issue offered some gem that Marvel later built upon." - D. S. Christensen, Studio Remarkable

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86. Spirou and Fantasio
Writer: Various
Artist: Various
Publisher: Dupuis
1938-Ongoing
2024 Rank: Unranked
"The genius of André Franquin is obvious in the liberated nature of his cartooning, but as he became more confident at writing Spirou and Fantasio it’s also evident in his plotting. Back in 1961, there’d been a good response to his serialised adventure featuring the villainous Zorglub, but Franquin concluded Z is for Zorglub with the villain promising Spirou, Fantasio and the Count of Compignac that he’d repented, which was good enough for them. How, then, to return a popular villain? Franquin didn’t bother with complex machinations. The simple premise of Zorglub lying and our heroes being taken in worked just fine, enabling him to menace them again here." - Frank Plowright, The Slings & Arrows

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85. Ordinary Victories
Writer: Manu Larcenet
Artist: Manu Larcenet
Publisher: NBM
2004-2016
2024 Rank: 177
"The plot expands and Larcenet's panels capture both the changing seasons of the French countryside and the grim nightscapes of the port Marco loves to photograph. Larcenet weaves in Marco's father's ambiguous role during his military service in Algeria, a discussion of torture, and the death of the local shipyards. Note that the subtitle is not a question: in the almost wordless final panels of the book Larcenet elegantly draws out exactly what is precious." - Craig Taylor, The Guardian

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84. Sweet Tooth
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Jeff Lemire
Publisher: Vertigo
2009-2021
2023 Rank: 99
"In all the years I've been reading comics, I've never read a story as satisfying as Sweet Tooth. Lemire should be damn proud of what he's accomplished here." - Victor Correa, comicbooked.com

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83. Sex Criminals
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Chip Zdarsky
Publisher: Image
2013-2020
2023 Rank: 67
"It’s the book’s bawdy frankness about modern sexual politics that makes it so appealing: Suzie and Jonathan have an extraordinary talent, but they’re ordinary people, kind of perverts, kind of prudes, with complicated feelings about sex. So the book reads not only as a clothing-optional adventure but as a smart and sex-positive take on the state of bumping uglies in America, circa 2014." - Dan Kois, Slate

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82. Here
Writer: Richard McGuire
Artist: Richard McGuire
Publisher: Pantheon
2014
2023 Rank: 111
"It was the first time I had had my mind blown. Sitting on that couch, I felt time extend infinitely backwards and forwards, with a sense of all the biggest of small moments in between. And it wasn’t just my mind: "Here” blew apart the confines of graphic narrative and expanded its universe in one incendiary flash, introducing a new dimension to visual narrative that radically departed from the traditional up-down and left-right reading of comic strips. And the structure was organic, nodding not only to the medium’s past but also hinting at its future." - Chris Ware, The Guardian

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81. Monster
Writer: Naoki Urasawa
Artist: Naoki Urasawa
Publisher: Viz Media
1994-2001
2023 Rank: 656
"Urasawa orchestrates his suspense like a master musician, effortlessly maintaining the delicate balance of deliberate misinformation and explicit delineation of the dangers facing protagonists that only the finest suspense thrillers ever achieve. His world of dark conspiracy, dark shadows and even darker hearts is populated by a cast of full-blooded, meticulously realized characters who live, breathe, love, hate, and die just like us. And for all of their ugly desires, destructive ambitions, and moral compromise, they are all redeemable, perhaps sympathetic, even good, and definitely human; never is the focus so tightly on the dark clouds of human evil, death, and despair that the silver lining of hope, dignity, and compassion is ignored." - Carl Kimlinger, Anime News Network

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80. Miracleman
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: John Tottleben
Publisher: Eclipse
1985-1989
2023 Rank: 33
"Rereading Miracleman, as I’ve probably done seven or eight times in its various awkward forms, I’m struck again by how deeply felt it is, how earnestly Moore addresses the concerns of a mistreated lower-class child, and how specific that address remains... It ought to inspire, but it ought to inspire better work. Ultimately, the best imitation of personal art is personal art. Or, failing that, life." - Sam Thielman, Slate

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79. Criminal
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Sean Phillips
Publisher: Image
2006-Ongoing
2023 Rank: 66
"Is the comic good? It's beyond good, it's great. Criminal #1 shows that Brubaker and Phillips is a team of creators that are some of the best in the comics business. Criminal #1 is one of the strongest debuts in quite a while and a very welcomed return." - Brett Schenker, Graphic Policy

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78. 20th Century Boys
Writer: Naoki Urasawa
Artist: Naoki Urasawa
Publisher: Shogakukan
1999-2006
2023 Rank: 219
"The themes of American and Japanese horror tends not to overlap. Both cultures have different sensibilities and fears, and their horror stories play into that. It’s surprising, then, that reading Naoki Urasawa’s apocalyptic manga 20th Century Boys winds up closer to Stephen King’s It than any manga before it, with a distant group of friends reunited when a symbol of their past comes back as something much more sinister." - Tom Speelman, Polygon

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77. Lucky Luke
Writer: Various
Artist: Various
Publisher: Dupuis
1946-Ongoing
2023 Rank: Unranked
"I love Lucky Luke, absolutely love it. Whether it’s a new or an old volume I know I’m going to have a wonderful read, full of great art, wonderfully fun storylines, great comedy moments. So, please, I implore you, do yourselves a favour and pick up a volume or two from Cinebook to fall in love with it as well. Now, there’s only one way to end a review piece on Lucky Luke… enjoy." - Richard Bruton, Comicon

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76. Little Nemo in Slumberland
Writer: Winsor McCay
Artist: Winsor McCay
Publisher: New York Herald
1905-1927
2023 Rank: 205
"McCay's masterpiece in the comic strip field was—and is—Little Nemo in Slumberland.  Every week, the cartoonist took us into Nemo's dreams where the young boy had fantastic adventures that ended, every week, with his startled awakening safe in his own bed.  In this creation, McCay's genius, his originality, is revealed at its peak.  From the very first of the Sunday pages, he was a master of the form." - Robert C. Harvey, The Genius of Winsor McCay

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75. Astro City
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Brent Anderson
Publisher: Image
1995-Ongoing
2023 Rank: 39
"One of the things I loved about Astro City back then and continue to love today is how easy it is to go in and out of the world (there’s even a sign at the end of every arc, letting you know you are now leaving Astro City, a touch I’ve long appreciated). The book feels like you’re visiting an actual living place, with its own history and people and events that happen in between the stories you get to see. It’s a great effect, and I’m not sure any other comic does it so well." - Zack Quaintance, Comics Bookcase

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74. Usagi Yojimbo
Writer: Stan Sakai
Artist: Stan Sakai
Publisher: Dark Horse
1984-Ongoing
2023 Rank: 46
"I don't think I'm exaggerating at all when I say that Stan Sakai is arguably the greatest living comic book creator in the world, and Usagi Yojimbo is a thirty-year masterpiece that has a consistency and craftsmanship that other comics only touch when they're at their peak. It's so good in every way that the people who love it rarely even bother to explain why anymore --- if we're not talking about it all the time, it's only because its greatness has been such a permanent part of comics that we're taking it as a given. And really, that's a pretty big deal." - Chris Sims, Comics Alliance

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73. Slam Dunk
Writer: Takehiko Inoue
Artist: Takehiko Inoue
Publisher: Shueisha
1990-1996
2023 Rank: Unranked
"Slam Dunk Vol. 1 is a true gem that will make you yearn to learn how to play basketball. The artwork exudes confidence and detail that are impossible to replicate. The characters in this volume burst with energy and personality to a level that is truly standout for an opening volume. The story is comedic genius to the degree that it makes you want to read page after page, even if you are not a basketball fan. The pacing is possibly the best in manga, with each page flowing immediately after the next. Overall, this is a comic that, if you haven’t, you are almost obligated to. C’mon, it’s a classic!" - Christopher Patterson, Comic Watch

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72. Daredevil: Born Again
Writer: Frank Miller
Artist: David Mazzucchelli
Publisher: Marvel Comics
1986
2023 Rank: 30
"David Mazzucchelli’s art holds up well in the modern era. There’s a simple, soft approach about his panels that still get the point across...  Daredevil: Born Again is the definitive Daredevil story that will please fans and make fans of people who don’t know anything about the character. Mature themes combine with quality writing to make Born Again one of the greatest comic stories ever told." - Jamie Ryder, The Comic Vault

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71. Doom Patrol
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Richard Case
Publisher: DC Comics
1989-1993
2023 Rank: 50
"I don’t know if anyone but Morrison could pull this off. I have connected with other comic characters before, but not in the same way that I have with Morrison’s Doom Patrol... I am, though, a messed up freak who questions their place in their world. That’s the core of the Doom Patrol. A bunch of people, labelled freaks by society, questioning their place in the world. And fighting the weirdest threats you can imagine." - David Harth, You Don't Read Comics

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70. DC: The New Frontier
Writer: Darwyn Cooke
Artist: Darwyn Cooke
Publisher: DC Comics
2004
2023 Rank: 33
"New Frontier is a look at that world that was newly minted for kids, but dressed up and sophisticated for adults, full of meaning and style. Sometime a few months ago, I realized that it is, in all likelihood, the best comprehensive account of the entire DC Universe in one work. If I had one DC story to take to a desert island, I can't think of a better choice." - Rikdad, Rikdad's Comic Thoughts

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69. Uncle Scrooge
Writer: Carl Barks
Artist: Carl Barks
Publisher: Disney
1952-1962
2023 Rank: Unranked
"There are certain comic books that you are supposed to have read. Ones that have critical and/or commercial success behind them. Books like Maus and Watchmen and Love & Rockets and The Dark Knight Returns. Things that you know you are supposed to read because it made some top ten list or was mentioned in the Comics Journal or whatever. Carl Barks’s work on Uncle Scrooge fits into that category. Barks is held up as a master of the craft, an exemplary storyteller that created beloved characters for Disney and was given free rein to craft the stories of Duckburg as he saw fit. I am always somewhat skeptical when I hear about something being “so good” or “the best comic ever” from people. But Uncle Scrooge: Only A Poor Man lives up to its hype: it simply is that good." - Anthony Falcone, Comic Book Daily

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68. Nimona
Writer: ND Stevenson
Artist: ND Stevenson
Publisher: Web Comic, Harper Collins
2012-2014
2023 Rank: 52
"Written and illustrated by ND Stevenson, "Nimona" is a web comic-turned-graphic novel that's been captivating readers since its publication in 2015. With its charming blend of humor, fantasy, and heartfelt storytelling, you can easily see why this graphic novel for tweens is an absolute page-turner. "Nimona" offers a delightful journey that weaves together themes of friendship, morality, and the challenge of finding one's place in a judgmental world." - Javier Reyes, Gonk Bonk

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67. Epileptic
Writer: David B.
Artist: David B.
Publisher: Fantagraphics
1996-2003
2023 Rank: 103
"The French cartoonist David B.’s extraordinary L’Ascension du Haut-Mal, just published in its entirety in English for the first time as Epileptic, supersedes the standard line, exactly as the best art is supposed to. It’s neither cinematic nor literary: At every turn, it does things that only comics can do. It is entirely, obsessively, mesmerizingly the work of a single visual artist, and its narrative is the devastating story of how his vision rose from sickness and despair." - Douglas Wolk, New York Magazine

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66. Gaston
Writer: André Franquin
Artist: André Franquin
Publisher: Dupuis
1957-Ongoing
2023 Rank: Unranked
"Over three decades the artist honed Gaston's interests, showing him to be an inventor, a music fan, a DIY fanatic and an amateur chef. But, if his character exudes a Sixties effervescence it also has the era's disillusions. As Renaud Defiebre-Muller notes in the show, "Gaston pits personal autonomy against social control: against manners, against respect, against everyday decorum". Elevated to stardom by Franquin's graphic brilliance, this rebellion-by-default changed the rules of the bande dessinée." - Cynthia Rose, The Comics Journal

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65. Donald Duck
Writer: Carl Barks
Artist: Carl Barks
Publisher: Disney
1942-1996
2023 Rank: 170
"Donald Duck Finds Pirate Gold is a historic document, the eager beginnings of a decades-long character evolution. As can be expected, the Fantagraphics collection is lovingly compiled, the pieces selected with care and delivered alongside story notes. It’s a fantastic opening salvo for a series that is becoming all the more comprehensive and impressive with each subsequent volume. Best of all, it shows a duck — and artist — with a lot of potential." - Colin Moon, AIPT

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64. Planetary
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: John Cassaday
Publisher: Wildstorm
1998-2009
2023 Rank: 53
"I went into this book with super-high expectations, all the while knowing that it was highly probable that the book wouldn't live up to the hype, but in this case, I was happy to be wrong... John Cassaday's art is stellar throughout, especially the subtle differences between the various alternate reality Planetary teams, and Ellis delivers a script that is complex without devolving completely into "technojargon as dialogue," a common problem with futuristic/super-sciency storytelling." - Matthew Peterson - Major Spoiler

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63. Ms. Marvel
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Adrian Alphona
Publisher: Marvel Comics
2014-2019
2023 Rank: 78
"Ms. Marvel was everything I hoped it would be and more. It's a fantastic series from beginning to end, accomplishing so much more than just being a regular comic. Kamala Khan means something now." - Sean Ian Mills, Henchman-4-Hire

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62. March
Writer: John Lewis, Andrew Aydin
Artist: Nate Powell
Publisher: Top Shelf
2013-2016
2023 Rank: 63
"March: Book One is a work of art that should be used as a teaching device in every school in North America. This is a brilliant original graphic novel that is a must read for anyone who enjoys the medium, and a fantastic bridge book for many who have not read comics before. This is as good as it gets and is a brilliant showcase of the power of the medium to tell powerful stories." - Aaron Long, Comicosity

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61. Hawkeye
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: David Aja
Publisher: Marvel Comics
2012-2015
2023 Rank: 37
"Hawkeye is a flawless superhero comic from start to finish, genuinely one of the best superhero series of the modern age, reinvigorating Clint Barton just as much as his alter ego. This is a feast for the soul, a book giddy with purely joyous storytelling, but which also boasts a deceptive complexity and rich intelligence." - G. Forrest, The Slings and Arrows

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60. My Favorite Thing Is Monsters
Writer: Emil Ferris
Artist: Emil Ferris
Publisher: Fantagraphics
2017-2024
2023 Rank: 56
"Overall, probably one of the most essential books every reader who loves a great story must have in their collection. The story by Ferris, feels like the Secret Life of Walter Mitty, but with monsters, and keeps the reader moving forward. The art by Ferris, will leave the reader floored by how beautiful and luminous it is. Altogether, a great book, for anyone who love a great story, and if you love monster movies and MAD Magazine, it would help but not necessary, as a good story like this, will always shine through." - Pharaoh Miles, Graphic Policy

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59. Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
Writer: Hirohiko Araki
Artist: Hirohiko Araki
Publisher: Jump Comics
1987-Ongoing
2023 Rank: Unranked
"This is largely the reason why fans find JJBA so engrossing. Even as the narrative becomes increasingly ridiculous, the emotional core remains grounded. You’d be upset too if the magic dog with whom you shared a love-hate bond died while protecting you from the surrogate of a semi-immortal vampire. And who among us wouldn’t be enraged to learn that a vampire fused his head onto our grandfather’s dead body? You never feel foolish for becoming invested in this bizarre adventure, as Araki draws just enough from reality to make his universe pulse with energy." - Erin Wisti, Slate

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58. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Writer: Hayao Miyazaki
Artist: Hayao Miyazaki
Publisher: Tokuma Shoten
1982-1994
2023 Rank: Unranked
"Miyazaki isn’t writing to tell battle stories. Nausicaä contemplates why the planet is allowing itself to be ruined, the perseverance of life, and our place within both of those topics. Nature endures and we are a part of that. Our perseverance is stronger than natural collapse and power-crazed despots. We are worth saving. Nausicaä is the story of an empowered woman struggling to make her vision of peace real in a world of poison men. Nausicaä’s ascension isn’t caused by the huge events in her world, she is causing them." - Arpad Okay, Comics Beat

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57. Krazy Kat
Writer: George Herriman
Artist: George Herriman
Publisher: Fantagraphics
1913-1944
2023 Rank: Unranked
"Krazy Kat is slapsticky and it is full of lyrical wordplay. Krazy Kat is slightly sad and slightly lonely. Krazy Kat is a dark satire of race relations and of abusive relationships. Krazy Kat is over a thousand perfect little vignettes. It defies easy classification and simple readings. Sometimes the joy of it is just seeing Krazy play the guitar while singing “There is a heppy lend, fur, fur away.” It has weird rhythms and you have to teach yourself how to read it. It is not for everyone, and defiantly so. Every single person who loves comics as a medium should at least give the strip a try." - Zack Quaintance, Comics Bookcase

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56. The Invisibles
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Various
Publisher: Vertigo
1994-2000
2023 Rank: 77
"It's complex but rewarding plot gives to the reader as much as they are willing to put in. Despite a plodding final volume, The Invisibles is a fantastic work of esoteric science-fiction that functions as a thesis statement for Morrison's entire life's work." - The Literary Comic

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55. The Amazing Spider-Man
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
Publisher: Marvel Comics
1963-1971
2023 Rank:  40
"His pencils keep the longer-than-your-average-comic-book flowing sharply; meanwhile, Lee packs in details of his own. Not only does Spidey face his fearsome foes, he also struggles with doubts and inadequacies with his powers and strives to rescue Aunt May and Betty Brant from Doc Ock's grasp. Pulse-pounding action and great characterization litter every page. This annual is a timeless classic, and Lee and Ditko should both be commended on the work they did here." - Nathan Kiehn, Hobby Lark

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54. Attack on Titan
Writer: Hajime Isayama
Artist: Hajime Isayama
Publisher: Kodansha
2009-2021
2023 Rank: Unranked
"Along with the setting and intricate, twisting plot, Attack on Titan derives its appeal from its willingness to bend the conventions of shounen manga. Here, friendship and burning spirit do not conquer all, and your favorite character stands a good chance of getting eaten without the opportunity to give a cool speech first." - Neil Derksen, The Library Journal 

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53. American Born Chinese
Writer: Gene Luen Yang
Artist: Gene Luen Yang
Publisher: First Second
2006
2023 Rank: 55
"What makes this such a compelling read is that while prejudice and racist cliches are the catalysts, the real story is about self-image and self esteem... Even the monkey god's journey of empowerment and later rediscovery of his cultural identity are elements that one can easily find in one's own life. The meticulous quality of this graphic novel's construction is eclipsed only by the honesty and universal nature of the subject matter." - Don MacPherson, Eye on Comics

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52. Hunter X Hunter
Writer: Yoshihiro Togashi
Artist: Yoshihiro Togashi
Publisher: Shueisha
1998-Ongoing
2023 Rank: Unranked
"Hunter x Hunter Volume 1 is an exciting start to a brilliant series that doesn't hold back its aurora off for a minute. From the jump, you know this is Togashi's opus and creative peak, and he never holds your hand to tell you that you are in his world, a natural one. One that gets on with itself and just embraces what it is. Togashi no longer feels held down in his writing by expectation or limitation; he realized and opened the doors to limitlessness in his writing, a true sense of whimsical wonder that makes one realize they are in for the ride of their life. Hunter x Hunter, Volume 1 is like a burning sensation that hooks you in and makes you itch to read every single chapter you can find after, thanks to Togashi's biting vision, personality, and freedom that he will never let you forget." - Christopher Patterson, Comics Watch

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51. Asterios Polyp
Writer: David Mazzucchelli
Artist: David Mazzucchelli
Publisher: Pantheon
2009
2023 Rank: 48
"Enter 'Asterios Polyp': a big, proud, ambitious chunk of a graphic novel, with modernism on its mind and a perfectly geometrical chip on its shoulder. The tension between formalist rigor and emotional subtlety is not just the theme (and method) of the cartoonist David ­Mazzucchelli’s decade-in-the-making opus; it’s basically the plot. The book is a satirical comedy of remarriage, a treatise on aesthetics and design and ontology, a late-life Künstlerroman, a Novel of Ideas with two capital letters, and just about the most schematic work of fiction this side of that other big book that constantly alludes to the ­'Odyssey.'" - Douglas Wolk, The New York Times

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50. Uncanny X-Men
Writer: Chris Claremont
Artist: John Bryne
Publisher: Marvel Comics
1975-1991
2023 Rank: 14
"By any standard, Chris Claremont’s original, 17-year run as writer of the X-Men comic book series is legendary. During his time steering the lives of Marvel Comics’ band of outlaw mutants, Claremont managed to not only work with a who’s who of amazing artists—like John Byrne, Paul Smith, Dave Cockrum, John Romita Jr., Marc Silvestri, and Jim Lee—he also elevated the superhero narrative to that of an epic novel, weaving the stories of dozens of characters over a decade-plus of battles, deaths, relationships, and more." - Alex Segura, Crime Reads

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49. Dragon Ball
Writer: Akira Toriyama
Artist: Akira Toriyama
Publisher: Shueisha
1984-1995
2023 Rank: Unranked
"Like Osamu Tezuka and Jack Kirby before him, Toriyama created a story with his own two hands that seeped deep into the hearts of his readers, creating a love for the both the cast and the medium at the same time... Toriyama’s got a great sense of humor, with a sublime combination of Looney Tunes-style classic humor and dirty jokes." - David Brothers, Comics Alliance

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48. Naruto
Writer: Masashi Kishimoto
Artist: Masashi Kishimoto
Publisher: Viz Media
1999-2014
2023 Rank: 276
"As always, Kishimoto's artwork is excellent, bursting from each page with the detailed style of line work made famous by Akira Toriyama... Story-wise, there is a great balance of plot, character development, comic relief, action scenes, and training scenes that enriches the reading experience." - Casey Brienza, Anime News Network

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47. Kingdom Come
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Alex Ross
Publisher: DC Comics
1996
2023 Rank: 20
"In fact, 1996 brought its own state-of-the-union manifesto. It was a smaller one, only four issues in length. It had no cosmic implications. It wasn’t a crossover. Very little in the mainstream DC status quo was changed by it. Co-written by Mark Waid and Alex Ross and drawn (well, drawn and painted) by Ross, it was titled Kingdom Come, and it was, perhaps, the greatest DC self-assessment of them all. Indeed, it stands as one of the best superhero stories ever told — and one that every comics publisher would do well to revisit and be inspired by today." - Abraham Josephine Riesman, Vulture

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46. Daytripper
Writer: Fábio Moon, Gabriel Bá
Artist: Fábio Moon, Gabriel Bá
Publisher: Vertigo
2010
2023 Rank: 29
"Daytripper is absolutely breathtaking. Both the writing and the illustrations are beautiful, and the combination is powerful. Moon and Bá don't really do anything in the comics that pushes the boundaries of the medium itself — as far as that goes, it's a pretty straightforward comic — but they create a masterpiece within the traditional constraints of the medium. If you love comic books and you're looking for a great story, Daytripper is a must-read." - Jonathan H. Liu, Wired

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45. Peanuts
Writer: Charles Schulz
Artist: Charles Schulz
Publisher: Rinehart & Company
1950-2000
2023 Rank: 240
"Part of why Peanuts has earned such high stature owes to Schulz’s mastery and standardization of the form. R.C. Harvey tell us that “Schulz’s strip…revolutionized comic strip art: his deceptively simple graphic style set a new fashion for newspaper cartoonists” (Harvey, Art 202). Schulz’s cartooning aesthetic is economic and clear: clean lines, iconic14 characters and figures, and clever, effective jokes. This sparse and simplistic-seeming style allowed Schulz to deliver sophisticated gags, satire, political commentary, and visual parody, to be sure. But, scholars have noted the strip’s enduring popularity is also due in no small part to Peanuts’ emotional core." - Taylor Arnold, Lauren Tilton, & Justin Wigard - Understanding Peanuts and Schulzian Symmetry: Panel Detection, Caption Detection, and Gag Panels in 17,897 Comic Strips Through Distant Viewing.

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44. Understanding Comics
Writer: Scott McCloud
Artist: Scott McCloud
Publisher: Tundra Publishing
1993
2024 Rank: 58
"In one lucid, well-designed chapter after another, [McCloud] guides us through the elements of comics style, and... how words combine with pictures to work their singular magic. When the 215-page journey is finally over, most readers will find it difficult to look at comics in quite the same way ever again." - Art Spiegelman, Maus, Breakdowns

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43. Batman: The Long Halloween
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Tim Sale
Publisher: DC Comics
19961997
2024 Rank: 22
"Though hailed as one of the greatest Batman stories of all time, I wasn't sold on the story when I initially read it in 1998. Returning to the story years later and reading it all in one long sitting, I am a convert. Batman: The Long Halloween is deserving of its praise... This is tight, engrossing and intelligent writing that never betrays that characters." - Hilary Goldstein, IGN

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42. Fables
Writer: Bill Willingham
Artist: Mark Buckingham
Publisher: Vertigo
2002-2024
2024 Rank: 38
"Fables works well not just as Story As Story, but as a commentary on the contemporary reader. Obviously, the work says many things about its creators, but just as interesting are the reactions it provokes in its readership—whether joy or frustration or pleasure or groans or interest or rage. When embedded fans of the series will devote their time and energy to incisive critique and critical readings, that is the mark of a worthwhile read." - Seth T. Hahne, GoodOkBad.com

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41. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Kevin O'Neill
Publisher: America's Best Comics
1999-2019
2024 Rank: 34
"I think the worldbuilding in this book is excellent, merging innumerable pieces of literature into a living, breathing world that is both recognizable and fantastical. O’Neill’s art is wonderfully expressive and evocative as well, often doing a great job of showing what a character is thinking and feeling without aid of words." - Ryan Carter, Muse With Me

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40. Sin City
Writer: Frank Miller
Artist: Frank Miller
Publisher: Dark Horse
1991-2000
2024 Rank: 31
"Reading Sin City: The Hard Goodbye is not just a recommendation but Required Reading for anyone who considers themselves a comic book aficionado. Frank Miller is a God and the proof is in his hard liquor-flavored words and stylish visuals that makes the Sin City collection a literary masterpiece. If you missed it the first few times, this is your chance to own this amazing piece of work." - Eden Zacharias, Comic Revolution

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39. Blacksad
Writer: Juan Díaz Canales
Artist: Juanjo Guarnido
Publisher: Dargaud
2000-Ongoing
2024 Rank: 61
"Blacksad is dark and brooding. The stories are magnificent, there is a reason why this is such a respected graphic novel series... I loved Blacksad and am looking forward to finishing it up soon. Check it out." - Elizabeth Tabler, Grimdark Magazine

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38. Batman: The Killing Joke
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Brian Bolland
Publisher: DC Comics
1998
2024 Rank: 21
"Outside of the psychological and sociological undertones, The Killing Joke is a masterfully told story. Each scene features perfect transitions, allowing the story to easily weave between present and past as the Joker attempts to force his insanity on James Gordon. Brian Bolland's art is a rarity for comics. It features no set-ups, no heavily-reused poses. Everyone's face is full of expression, no muscle is left unused throughout the short tale. Together Moore's rhythmic dialogue and Bolland's organic art create a unique story often mimicked but never matched." - Hilary Goldstein, IGN

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37. Lone Wolf and Cub
Writer: Kazuo Koike
Artist: Goseki Kojima
Publisher: Futabasha
1970-1976
2024 Rank: 81
"This is one of the cornerstones of the entire Japanese graphic novel tradition. Lone Wolf and Cub is a definite must for any action lover or fan of Japanese culture. Even if you are neither, the simple quality and depth of this graphic novel make it worth a try. A definite must in any good graphic fiction collection!" - Theo, Ninth Arts Delight

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36. Death Note
Writer: Tsugumi Ohba
Artist: Takeshi Obata
Publisher: Shueisha
2003-2006
2024 Rank: 152
"Probably the most compelling and interesting title to come out of Viz's young-adult-themed Shonen Jump Advanced line, Tsugumi Ohba and Takenshi Obata's Death Note is a surprisingly gripping and original suspense tale that raises a handful of interesting questions about morality. Anyone with a taste for mystery (and a good dose of gallows humor) should find Death Note to be refreshingly sophisticated." - Zac Bertschy, Anime News Network

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35. Corto Maltese
Writer: Hugo Pratt
Artist: Hugo Pratt
Publisher: Pif Gadget
1967-1989
2024 Rank: 265
"It is an early example of how poetic and smart this medium can be. It is relentlessly intelligent without sacrificing any of the excitement or imagination that sets the medium apart from other methods of storytelling and makes it so special. It is a stunning work, and not just due to its place in history and the influence it had on the medium. Corto Maltese: The Ballad of the Salty Sea is an immersive read that will grab readers right from the start. It’s not like one of those indie rock albums everyone pretends to appreciate because their favorite band cites it as an influence — it stands on its own as a timeless piece of entertainment." - Zack Quaintance, Comics Bookcase

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34. Scott Pilgrim
Writer: Bryan Lee O'Malley
Artist: Bryan Lee O'Malley
Publisher: Oni Press
2004-2010
2024 Rank: 41
"So it’s a testament to Lee O’Malley‘s singular sense of humour that he was able to craft a seminal work of art seemingly borne out of nowhere. The anime-meets-Genndy-Tartakovsky drawing style, the naturalistic dialogue, the seamless integration of retro iconography into the story- all of this was soldered together unlike any other work at the time." - Dusty Lalas, A Forever Quest

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33. Asterix
Writer: René Goscinny
Artist: Albert Uderzo
Publisher: Pilote
1959-1960
2024 Rank: Unranked
"Asterix the Gaul, which kicks off the first volume of Papercutz' new Asterix reissues, doesn't feel like the genesis of an international juggernaut. Sure, the 1959 cartoon is funny: Diminutive-but-crafty Asterix and his towering sidekick Obelix are Laurel and Hardy transplanted to 50 B.C., delivering gonzo comeuppance to the Roman soldiers who hope to bring all of France under Caesar's rule. But nothing about René Goscinny's goofy narrative or Albert Uderzo's hyperactive, deliberately lowbrow drawings portend what the Asterix series became: a half-century-spanning, globally-bestselling, nation-defining phenomenon." - Etelka Lehoczky, NPR

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32. The Incal
Wrtier: Alejandro Jodorowsky
Artist: Moebius
Publisher: Les Humanoïdes Associés
1980-2014
2024 Rank: 53
"The artwork by Moebius is perfect. It looks much simpler than it is. The linework and deliberate lack of shadows makes the art look almost simplistic, but he always has the perfect perspective and perfect frame composition. His drawings and panels are very dynamic and work wonders to draw you into the story; really visual storytelling at its best. The coloring is understated, but the controlled nature of it makes the panels appealing and inviting." - Jeroen Admiraal, A Sky of Books and Movies

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31. The Saga of The Swamp Thing
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Stephen Bissette
Publisher: DC Comics
1982-1985
2024 Rank: 13
"Every once in a while a creator lands a run on a mainstream comic which suits them to a ‘t’. There’s Alan Moore’s tenure on Swamp Thing and Frank Miller’s run on Daredevil, for example. Sure, both writers did great work with other characters on a stand-alone basis (notably Superman and Batman respectively), but these were generally individual arcs rather than directing three or four years of the characters’ stories. Having read New X-Men, I can confirm that Grant Morrison has found his own such series." - Darren Mooney, The Movie Blog

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30. Marvels
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Alex Ross
Publisher: Marvel Comics
1994
2024 Rank: 17
"I think it’s safe to say that Marvels, the four issue miniseries from Marvel released during the nineties revolutionised the industry. An attempt to create something akin to a social history of the Marvel Universe from the perspective of “everyman” reporter Phil Sheldon charted the course of history in the fictional Marvel Universe... wondering what ideas and themes could be derived from the evolution of this world populated with the magnificent and the ridiculous, the epic and embarrassing, the big and the small." - Darren Mooney, The Movie Blog

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29. Berserk
Writer: Kentaro Miura
Artist: Kentaro Miura
Publisher: Hakusensha
1989-Ongoing
2024 Rank: 144
"Mr. Miura’s drawings, in pen and ink for most of his career, were also compared to the paintings of the Dutch Renaissance master Hieronymus Bosch, particularly for Mr. Miura’s images of little human figures occupying sweeping fantastical landscapes. These imaginary worlds tended toward the hellish (with moments of the sublime), made up of corpses, skeletons, monsters and, in one of the story’s pivotal moments, a gigantic, ominous eclipse. Mr. Miura was known for his spectacular, apocalyptic style; specific images — a humongous sword, a monster cloaked in shadow — are immediately recognizable to his fans." - Alex Traub, The New York Times

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28. Batman: Year One
Writer: Frank Miller
Artist: David Mazzucchelli
Publisher: DC Comics
1987
2024 Rank: 10
"Miller went to great lengths to portray Batman’s world in an incredibly realistic way by taking out all of the character’s sci-fi gadgets and over-the-top villains. Instead, he left readers with an obsessed man in Spandex systematically taking down the mob, but he did it in a thrilling way that let readers in on the psychology behind the mask. And when you throw in Mazzucchelli’s near-perfect art, Year One remains not only one of the best Batman stories of all time, but one of the best comics as well." - Jason Serafino, Complex

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27. Hellboy
Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Mike Mignola
Publisher: Dark Horse
1994-2013
2024 Rank: 7
"'Seed of Destruction' is a book created with an abundance of imagination and attention to detail in the art and story. It is an introduction of a distinct character and unique world that is overflowing with endless possibility. Mignola, Byrne, and Chiarello have created a perfect introduction to Mignola’s Hellboy, his mysterious surroundings, and the unanswered questions that surround his origin. The world of Hellboy is a world of fun and is one that any reader would be remiss not to plunge into feet first." - Keith Dooley, Comics Authority

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26. Eightball
Writer: Daniel Clowes
Artist: Daniel Clowes
Publisher: Fantagraphics
1989-2004
2024 Rank: 91
"'Ghost World' is a book that conveys so much unsaid through the brilliant, laugh-out-loud, and genius dialogue. Pain, insecurity, jealousy, love, and, most of all, denial shared between Enid and Rebecca are just some of the intense and real emotions that pour forth from the humor and characters that Clowes writes and draws in this modern classic." - Keith Dooley, Comics Alliance

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25. Fullmetal Alchemist
Writer: Hiromu Arakawa
Artist: Hiromu Arakawa
Publisher: Square Enix
2001-2010
2024 Rank: 108
"Even though I know every twist and turn to this story, the dialogue and art are so masterfully done that I feel like I'm reading it again for the first time. The combination of drama, horror, action, emotion, humor and fortitude are an intellectual symphony. The layered story telling leaves me desperate for more." - Jeremy Snow, The Geekly Grind

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24. Blankets
Writer: Craig Thompson
Artist: Craig Thompson
Publisher: Top Shelf
2003
2024 Rank: 16
"In telling his story, which includes beautifully rendered memories of the small brutalities that parents inflict upon their children and siblings upon each other, Thompson describes the ecstasy and ache of obsession (with a lover, with God) and is unafraid to suggest the ways that obsession can consume itself and evaporate." - Ken Tucker, New York Times

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23. Transmetropolitan
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Darick Robertson
Publisher: Vertigo
1997-2002
2024 Rank: 24
"Transmetropolitan does what DC's Vertigo imprint did best in its prime: take high-minded concepts and transplant them into the two-fisted world of pulp comics. For writers, it’s a bit of a power fantasy — I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I will never stop a riot with a blog post or attack a recalcitrant source with the "chair leg of truth" — but it’s also both a celebration and an indictment of a world gone beautifully, hilariously mad." - Adi Robertson, The Verge

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22. Y: The Last Man
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Artist: Pia Guerra
Publisher: Vertigo
2002-2008
2024 Rank: 15
"I love that Vaughan throws all that at us and asks us to consider what we’d do. And I love that he doesn’t make it clear. He doesn’t make it easy. He doesn’t make it right. Yorick makes decisions, foolish and blind, and – it’s true. To him. Maybe not to the ideals of what this world could be. But it’s his experience of that world, and Vaughan lets that happen in the right way. The complicated, contradictory and often foolish way." - Daisy May Johnson, Did You Ever Stop To Think

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21. The Walking Dead
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Tony Moore, Charlie Adlard
Publisher: Image
2003-2019
2024 Rank: 26
"The Walking Dead is in a more exciting and thoughtful place than it's been in a long time, and maybe even ever. This series is consistently one of the best on the stands, and it only looks to get better as Kirkman and Adlard further refine their craft. So come on, people, catch up on the trades and come along for the ride, already." - Dan Philips, IGN

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20. The Acme Novelty Library
Writer: Chris Ware
Artist: Chris Ware
Publisher: Pantheon
1995-2000
2024 Rank: 19
"There’s light in the book – even if it is, for the most part, the light shining from its cleanly precise presentation. If you’ve never read a graphic novel, or if you’re someone who thinks they’re all spandex and improbable physiques, you should really read this book. Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth is a touching, subtle tale of the sadness curled inside each of us, accompanied by some of the finest graphic work you’ll find." - Luke, Captain Fez

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19. A Contract With God
Writer: Will Eisner
Artist: Will Eisner
Publisher: Poorhouse Press
1978
2024 Rank: 36
"But, it’s 'A Contract with God' that lingers with me. There’s so much pain drawn in the illustrations themselves, but Eisner’s words accompany the illustrations beautifully. Page after page show a man trudging through a downpour, finally saying it was the day Frimme Hersh buried Rachele, his daughter. 'Only the tears of ten thousand angels could cause such a deluge.' It’s a personal, unforgiving story." - Lesa Holstine, Lesa's Book Critique

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18. Love and Rockets
Writer: Hernandez Brothers
Artist: Hernandez Brothers
Publisher: Fantagraphics
1982-Ongoing
2024 Rank: 25
"As a kid, the first issue of Love and Rockets I saw astonished me not just with its visual and storytelling mastery, but with the worlds it focused on – characters of every shape and background, from women selling babosas barefooted to sexy, smart mechanic girlfriends. I’d never experienced anything like it, and that’s because there is nothing else like it." - Gail Simone, The Guardian

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17. All-Star Superman
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Frank Quitely
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: 2005-2008
2024 Rank: 5
"Superman is tough to write for. He's just too strong and too tough to write good plots around — those big muscles tend to break down any nuanced or believable plot-mechanics, and he's too morally rigid to be interesting or relatable. But writer Morrison seems to get what's fun about Superman: He's ridiculously powerful, and therefore he just sees and does and has lots of incredibly cool, totally bizarre stuff. All Star Superman isn't bound by DC-universe continuity, so the sky isn't even close to the limit: time machines, nanonauts, sun-eaters, a super-dense sphere of black kryptonite from the Underverse, it's all good." - Lev Grossman, Time

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16. One Piece
Writer: Eiichiro Oda
Artist: Eiichiro Oda
Publisher: Shueisha
1997-Ongoing
2024 Rank: 105
"There is always a danger when one artist takes inspiration from another. Luckily, One Piece avoids many of the pitfalls of this by creating a vivid world for its characters to wander in. One Piece manages to share a rich tale without getting bogged down by overly complicated plots. It is what it appears to be on the surface, a grand adventure filled with comedy, action, and strong values. Eiichiro Oda's artwork and storytelling combine to create a unique tale of adventure that many will find entertaining." - Allen Divers, Anime NEws Network

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15. Black Hole
Writer: Charles Burns
Artist: Charles Burns
Publisher: Fantagraphics
1995-2005
2024 Rank: 35
"The real test of the work is in what lies outside that central and somewhat prosaic narrative; it's about the pathetic, foolish, squalid, miserable, fantastic and transcendent lives of adolescence. You go on a journey with them and, like a journey shared with any adolescents, they'll make sick, and angry, annoyed and perhaps even a little envious by the time you get to your destination." - Rob Cave, Ninth Art

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14. Calvin and Hobbes
Writer: Bill Watterson
Artist: Bill Watterson
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
1985-1995
2024 Rank: 83
"At a time when comic strips are being drawn with minimal detail and written with obvious punch lines, Bill Watterson’s creation is nothing less than a miracle... In the process, the two have become the most entertaining, complex characters on the funny pages these days." - Ken Tucker, Entertainment Weekly

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13. Bone
Writer: Jeff Smith
Artist: Jeff Smith
Publisher: Cartoon Books
1991-2004
2024 Rank: 9
"The whole book is just pitch-perfect in terms of how the story works with the art, and how the whole thing moves you forward at a pace that never seems too rushed or too slow. For a book that was serialized over twelve years, it is incredibly impressive how coherent it is. I’ve read a lot of webcomics and serialized comics, and usually the art improves or things change as the years pass, but Smith’s cartooning is so confident that you would never know how long this took. The fantasy plot is so well done, and Smith does interesting things with what can be a repetitive genre. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It’s funny, touching, thoughtful, dense, rewarding, every positive description." - GentleRain, Cannonball Read

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12. Preacher
Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Steve Dillon
Publisher: Vertigo
1995-2000
2024 Rank: 12
"An unforgiving look at faith and hypocrisy, Preacher is overflowing with humor and violence. Its true power comes from its fascinating cast of characters, including the vampire Cassidy. With Heaven, the law and the Saint of Killers in hot pursuit, Custer and crew search for God, hoping He can set things straight. The journey isn't an easy one and Ennis never once pulls a single punch." - Hilary Goldstein, IGN

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11. The Adventures of Tintin
Writer: Hergé
Artist: Hergé
Publisher: Le Lombard
1929-1976
2024 Rank: 203
"The Adventures of Tintin are probably at odds with most American comics. This type of genre-ranging adventure story that is also humorous does not have much of an equal here, where superheroes, autobiography, or minimalism (in the Raymond Carver-esque sense, not visually) are most prominent. I rarely see them in comic stores, but for some reason they are always on the shelves of Barnes & Noble. Give Tintin a try, resist the urge to read all those little panels at a breakneck adventure-ish speed, and take your time enjoying a European master’s skill. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed." - Derik A Badman, MadInkBeard

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10. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
Writer: Alison Bechdel
Artist: Alison Bechdel
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
2006
2024 Rank: 27
"If the theoretical value of a picture is still holding steady at a thousand words, then Alison Bechdel's slim yet Proustian graphic memoir, "Fun Home," must be the most ingeniously compact, hyper-verbose example of autobiography to have been produced. It is a pioneering work, pushing two genres (comics and memoir) in multiple new directions, with panels that combine the detail and technical proficiency of R. Crumb with a seriousness, emotional complexity and innovation completely its own." - Sean Wilsey, New York Times

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9. Saga
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Artist: Fiona Staples
Publisher: Image
2012-Ongoing
2024 Rank: 6
"'Saga' takes as much as it gives. It’s a beautiful, romantic tragedy that constantly reminds you that in a world filled with oppression and suffering, sometimes the best way to rebel is to find someone you love enough to eat pizza and watch terrible movies with on the couch all day. So, this Valentine’s Day, pick up 'Saga' and realize that as much as the story will make you fall apart, it will eventually put you back together into something better than you ever were before." - Oscar Guevara, Washington Square News

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8. Akira
Writer: Katsuhiro Otomo
Artist: Katsuhiro Otomo
Publisher: Kodansha
1982-1990
2024 Rank: 28
"The level of detail in every panel is astonishing and you really need a few minutes to soak in the many double page spreads. It's no wonder that the manga took nearly ten year to be finished, nearly 2000 pages of that kind of detail takes a while... The manga is worth a look just to take in all the art, it's on a level that few comics today are." - Helen, Narrative Investigations

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7. V For Vendetta
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: David Lloyd
Publisher: Vertigo
1982-1989
2024 Rank: 11
"A frightening and powerful tale of the loss of freedom and identity in a chillingly believable totalitarian world, V for Vendetta stands as one of the highest achievements of the comics medium and a defining work for creators Alan Moore and David Lloyd... Crafted with sterling clarity and intelligence, V for Vendetta brings an unequaled depth of characterization and verisimilitude to its unflinching account of oppression and resistance." - Iris Vonk, Books In Character

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6. Persepolis
Writer: Marjane Satrapi
Artist: Marjane Satrapi
Publisher: L'Association
2000-2004
2024 Rank: 18
"Thanks to its timeliness and its subject, Marjane Satrapi's 'Persepolis' makes for one of the most vital and surprising reads of the season. That she did it as a graphic memoir says a lot about the growth of this art-form. You could, and should, easily get a younger teenager to read it. Sometimes funny and sometimes sad but always sincere and revealing, 'Persepolis' will be one of the best graphic books of the year." - Andrew Arnold, TIME

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5. From Hell
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Eddie Campbell
Publisher: Top Shelf
1989-1998
2024 Rank: 8
"Moore has done a fine job here of weaving a complex tale from the “Jack the Ripper” legend. He examines Victorian society on several different levels, one that is displayed as corrupt and rotten below a shiny veneer of enlightenment and progress... In a way, it is the stuff of cosmic horror, where most people are completely unaware that they have no control over the happenings of their world; however, the only monsters here are all too human, which can prove even more frightening upon further reflection. The artwork of Campbell, all in black and white and intricately detailed, compliments the terrors of the story well. It is a dark and gritty tale with flourishes of wonder, and you see that in every panel." - Benjamin Clanton, University of Memphis Library

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4. The Sandman
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artist: Various
Publisher: Vertigo
1988-1996
2024 Rank: 4
"This entire series was amazing. I really loved all the meaning hidden deep within the panels. Honestly, I want to see the English course devoted to the meaning behind The Sandman, it could be eye-opening for those that see comics as only for kids. Gaiman weaves a tale that is entertaining and illuminating all at once. The art that accompanies the story enhances the overall story and adds layers to the meanings within." - Luna Gauthier, The Cosmic Circus

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3. The Dark Knight Returns
Writer: Frank Miller
Artist: Frank Miller, Klaus Janson
Publisher: DC Comics
1986
2024 Rank: 3
"The Dark Knight is a success on every level. It keeps the core elements of the Batman myth intact; with Robin, Alfred the butler, Commissioner Gordon, and the old roster of villains present, yet brilliantly subverted. The artwork is design brilliance -harsh, claustrophobic, psychotic. It's fundamentally a great story: Gotham City is a hell on earth, street gangs roam but there are no heroes. Decay is ubiquitous. Where is a hero to save Gotham? It's Frank Miller's richly imagined vision of the Dark Knight's future; Batman how he should be. Genius." - Forbidden Planet

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2. Watchmen
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Dave Gibbons
Publisher: DC Comics
1986-1987
2024 Rank: 2
"Yet, somehow, that is the beauty of the story: that nothing is certain, that each individual’s morality is of his or her own making. No matter what the circumstances are, they can always change, hopefully for the better. More importantly, Watchmen exhibits the best part of being human: our ability to choose our own ideas for right and wrong and act upon them. Despite being deemed superheroes, the characters in Watchmen, including Dr. Manhattan, are all fundamentally human... Perhaps the point is not that superheroes can be human, but that humans can be superheroes. Moore suggests that because of our ability to choose our own ethics, our own limitations and the fate of the world are ultimately in our hands, which aligns perfectly with Watchmen’s enigmatic ending." - Jeffrey Wu, The Greater Good: Analyzing Morality in Watchmen

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1. Maus
Writer: Art Spiegelman
Artist: Art Spiegelman
Publisher: Pantheon
1980-1991
2024 Rank: 1
"The two volumes of Art Spiegelman’s Maus: A Survivor’s Tale, published in book form in 1986 and ’91, defy classification. The remarkable work has a rightful place on our list of top 10 graphic novels; TIME’s Lev Grossman has noted that Maus’ Pulitzer was “a landmark event in the history of the medium — its sheer power forced the mainstream world to take comics seriously.” Yet Maus — in which the artist-author not only tells the true story of his father Vladek, a Holocaust survivor, but also conveys the complicated relationship between father and son — can just as rightly lay claim to being among the best memoirs ever written. Spiegelman draws the Jews as mice, the Nazis as cats and the Poles as pigs, all the while drawing the reader closer to the truth. As Grossman wrote, “the cartoonish conceit doesn’t trivialize the story; it makes it viscerally real — it strips away our practiced indifference to an all-too-familiar story. Those mice are more human than most people.” - Alexandra Silver, Time

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